If you're in the process of purchasing a home, especially one that is older, you may have heard the term 4 point inspection. Without a 4 point inspection completed and signed off on by a licensed home inspector, you will have a difficult time getting a homeowners insurance policy. So what are 4 point inspections and why do insurance companies consider it so important for older homes?

What Is a 4 Point Inspection?A 4 point inspection focuses on the condition of the homes four major components: the roofing, the electrical system, the plumbing, and HVAC. Your home inspector will check each of these areas and produce a report on their overall condition and age. Some of the issues a 4 point inspection can reveal in older homes are leaky roofs, bad shingles, outdated electrical systems, burst pipes, dying water heaters, and refrigerant leaks in HVAC systems.

4 point inspections may not be as comprehensive as a regular home inspection, but as you can see, they hit on many important areas. So, now that you have a better understanding of what it is, let's answer the question of why insurance companies find it so important.

Why 4 Point Inspections Are so ImportantWhen it comes to older homes, the four major components we mentioned above can be big liabilities. A roof nearing the end of its useful life may leak or allow water intrusion into the home. Outdated or improperly modified electrical systems can be a fire waiting to happen. HVAC and plumbing are less dangerous but they can still fail, leading to some pretty costly damage.

Insurance companies want to reduce the number of claims they have to deal with, and older homes statistically have more insurance claims associated with them. Requiring 4 point inspections before you can get insurance on an older home is one way they reduce their liability while still offering consumers the insurance they need.

It's also important to keep in mind that not all insurance companies have the same underwriting requirements, so just because a problem is found during an inspection that doesn't necessarily mean you will be denied insurance or get an unfavorable rate.

What 4 Point Inspections Are NotIt's important to be clear about this point, 4 point inspections are not a comprehensive home inspection. They are primarily tailored towards insurance companies and they shouldn't be used to make the final decision on whether your not you buy a home. They can be extremely useful, including saving you thousands on your homeowner's insurance, but they are still limited in scope. If you're still trying to decide on a home a thorough home inspection would be more appropriate.

A 4 point inspection is practically required when buying an older home. At Super Inspection Pros our inspectors are fully licensed and we have years of experience performing quick but thorough 4 point inspections. We will focus on the facts insurance companies most want to see and tailor our reporting for each individual insurer. Please, contact us today to learn more about our home inspections or to schedule a 4 point inspection for your home.